Markert, Eischeid win gold

DES MOINES – Manson Northwest Webster’s overall depth and talent was clearly evident during day one of the boys state track meet Thursday at Drake Stadium.

Behind individual titles from seniors Josh Markert (long jump) and Brody Eischeid (400), the defending champion Cougars currently sit in second in the 1A team race with 20 points. AGWSR (28) paces the field.

Markert, who became the school’s first-ever Drake Relays champion last month, prevailed for a second consecutive year here with a leap of 22-4.50. Nick Pittmon (21-2.50) of East Mills settled for a runner-up showing.

“(Winning a Drake Relays crown) made me feel confident, but I still felt a lot of pressure,” said Markert. “You just have to try and stay relaxed, use more leg and attack the board.”

Eischeid also managed to repeat by clocking a 48.33, finishing just one one-hundreth of a second off the 1A meet record set by Preston’s Jordan Cornilsen in 2007. Eischeid’s mark ranks 25th all-time. Beau Freeborn (49.19) from North Mahaska took home silver.

“I had a lot of pressure on me, which is always a good thing because it makes you work harder,” said Eischeid, who ran a victorious 49.98 in the 400 as a junior. “It’s a pretty great feeling knowing I’m up there with all the other good (400 runners).”

Junior Jack Walstrom finished 10th (10:18.42) in the 3200 for MNW, while classmate Alex Dangelser (10:54.49) checked in 21st in that same event. AGWSR’s Isaac Montes (9:46.13) posted a triumph.

McCoy Snell, a sophomore, was 17th (19-3) in the long jump and 21st (11.95) in the 100 prelims. Senior Kolin Sukovaty was also 20th (43-2.25) in the shot put.